GRASSROOTS
Wednesday July 29, 2015
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Clearing sale report ‘The Retreat’ Wool Selling Systems Review A very large crowd of over 500 people gathered at “The Retreat” Dalgety for the clearing sale for Rodney Mugridge on Saturday July 25. There were 226 eager buyers registering to compete on the vast array of farming plant, household goods and furniture. “The Retreat” has been owned by the Mugridge Family for 135 years, being first settled in 1880. The major item of the day was a 2007 New Holland Tractor that sold for $55,000 after negotiation. There were a total of 510 lots sold keeping the Elders auctioneers Tim Schofield and Oliver Mason very busy as they took bids and entertained the crowd. The team from Elders Cooma conducted a very professional sale with all going smoothly on the day.
Buyers came from as far away as Inverell, Riverina, South Coast and a large local gathering. Top prices on the day were: • New holland tractor $55,000 • International tractor $12,000 • Mitsubishi sedan $6,500 • Kuerneland taarup hay rake $8,000 • Lely 6 disc mower $6,700 • Grizzly plough $5,200 • Dean tipping trailer $3,600 • Scarifyer $4,400 • International baler $3,200 • Portable sheep yards $2,600 • Connor Shea disc seeder $4,200 • Honda quad bike $3,650 All prices quoted are GST Exclusive
Initiative launches to give rural NSW girl a ‘Power Trip’ A local New South Wales girl will receive an opportunity to meet inspirational female leaders like Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, through an essay competition launched this week by youthled non-profit, Country to Canberra. Executive Director Hannah Wandel said the award-winning initiative aims to empower rural girls to reach their leadership potential. “We are so excited to announce that in 2015, winners will come from each state and territory, meaning a New South Wales teen is guaranteed to score the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Ms Wandel. “The prize is an all-expenses paid ‘Power Trip’ to Canberra, connecting winners from rural and remote Australia with female politicians and executives. The girls also receive a behind-thescenes tour of Parliament House and will have their essays published on a national stage. “In 2014, we had two amazing New South Wales winners, who connected with over 25 highprofile leaders, including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Minister Fiona Nash and then-ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher.” Ms Wandel said. Country to Canberra is an award-winning organisation that equips rural girls with skills to become leaders in their local communities. Ms Wandel said that distance, time and funding barriers can isolate rural girls from education and career opportunities at a time when Australia’s gender pay gap has risen to 18.8% and just 30% of federal politicians are female.
“Through our essay competition and Power Trip prize, we help girls overcome these gender and geographical barriers to success,” said Ms Wandel. “This year’s competition asks girls: If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would you do to help achieve gender equality. Think locally and nationally! “It’s great, because it gets girls thinking about being Australia’s top politician, and also how they would fix one of society’s biggest problems.” Sixteen-year-old student Ellie Simpson is eagerly awaiting the chance to enter. “It’s a really exciting opportunity to talk about gender equality, and the competition’s a great stepping stone for young female writers,” said Ellie Simpson. Over 300 high schools and colleges, from the Far West to the South Coast, have been sent information about the competition. “Winners will also score six online mentorship sessions with university students, to help take their leadership skills to the next level,” said Ms Wandel. The essay competition closes on 10 September 2015, and the Power Trip will be held on 1 December 2015 in Canberra. More information about the competition, its terms and conditions, and the Power Trip can be found on Country to Canberra’s website (www. countrytocanberra.com.au), and on social media.
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ON DISPLAY FOR INSPECTION Sale bulls sired by - Coonamble Elevator E11, Rosskin Admiral D2, Rennylea Edmund E11, Ardrossan Equator A241, Sitz Upward 307R, SAV Camaro 9272, Millah Murrah Equator D78. Tuwharetoa Regent D145, Rennylea 458N Elvis E307, Soo Line Grizzley 9034.
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discussion paper released The Wool Selling Systems Review (WSSR) Panel has released its discussion paper to industry. The 44-page Discussion Paper was compiled after 68 written submissions were received in response to the Issues Paper of December 2014. The Panel has also held discussions with commercial and industry interests throughout all stages of the wool value chain from sheep production through to offshore wool processors. The WSSR focusses on all the processes and costs that sit within the exchange of ownership process from the shearing shed through to the ship’s rail. The Executive Summary of the discussion paper outlines how a number of opportunities may deliver operational efficiencies and reduce costs in the process of selling wool. These opportunities include but are not limited to: deeper investigation of the centralisation of selling centres, the development of on-farm wool testing options, greater transparency of broker charges and a further investigation of commission buying and its effect on sale room competition. The Panel’s view is that there are no institutional obstacles preventing these opportunities from being progressed. However dealing with these issues on a piecemeal basis is unlikely to provide meaningful and ongoing benefits to Australian woolgrowers. The Panel therefore proposes a more all-encompassing solution that not only addresses the existing identified issues within the wool supply chain, but also creates a platform to provide for ongoing industry developments as well as advancements in technology. What is proposed is the establishment of an online Wool Exchange Portal (WEP) to effectively address a multitude of issues and future opportunities. In principle, such a portal would provide woolgrowers with an online tool to assist them in making informed and suitable decisions with
regard to their wool. The Panel believes the Australian wool selling systems are in need of modernization and electronic selling systems should at least be investigated. They can open up markets to new participants, lower participation costs and provide for easier and faster dissemination of market information creating the potential for greater transparency. Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) commissioned the independent review of the wool selling system on behalf of its shareholders, Australian woolgrowers. The key objectives of the WSSR are to improve the returns that woolgrowers receive for their wool through: • evaluating whether greater efficiencies and cost savings within the exchange of ownership between the seller and the first buyer are attainable • understanding the potential for increased competitive tension throughout the wool selling process and how it can be achieved, and • determining whether there is sufficient transparency within the exchange of ownership to allow woolgrowers to make the most informed commercial decisions about their wool growing enterprise. The WSSR Panel includes Fox & Lillie Managing Director James Lillie; Graeme Samuel AC, Monash Business School, Monash University; Bernard Wonder PSM, consultant and director; and William Wilson, director of Australian Investor Relation Services. Colin Bell, executive chairman of Bell Financial Group provides woolgrower expert resources and John Roberts, director of Eubindal Pty Ltd is the executive officer and secretariat for the review panel. A stakeholder workshop will now take place on the 21st of July 2015 in Melbourne where key stakeholders will examine and debate the discussion paper that can now be found at www. wool.com/wssr